Magazine recognizes Dearborn Public Schools as a District of Distinction

Dearborn Public Schools used Monday’s School Board meeting to celebrate its latest honor, being named a national District of Distinction.

District Administration magazine in July bestowed the honor on only 45 districts across the country. Dearborn Schools was recognized for its School Improvement Process or SIP.

SIP is used to evaluate schools and help them develop ongoing plans to improve instruction and student achievement. All stakeholders are involved in the process, which looks at nine high-impact strategies while focusing on classroom applications. Administrators, teachers, staff, parents and students visit classrooms and rate what learners are doing and saying, the level of engagement, the depth of questions, and the cognitive demand of the activities. Following the classroom visits, teams discuss their observations to provide written feedback to the school.

“We are very honored to be recognized for a program that is making a difference in how we measure our effectiveness in the classroom. This award is a tribute to the hard work of all staff members who work in our schools, and I appreciate the incredible support from our Board of Education, staff, parents, community members and, of course, our students,” said Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko.

SIP, among other factors, has contributed to improved student scores on standardized tests and benchmark assessments. Dearborn is in the 92nd percentile nationally for student growth, according to the award report. The district has 34 schools.

District Administration created Districts of Distinction to recognize schools that are developing new ideas that solve challenges. Honorees are selected based on the quantifiable results and replicability of their initiatives. This year marked the eighth round of honorees for the program, which began in 2014.

“These districts all have developed exemplary programs to support students in their education and well beyond the classroom,” says JD Solomon, editorial director at District Administration magazine. “We hope our readers are inspired by the innovation of these honorees to create successful initiatives in their own districts.”

Photo Caption:PR 4 District of Distinction Award- Dr. Maleyko traveled to Chicago this summer to accept the District of Distinction Award on behalf of the Dearborn Public SchoolsPR 4 District of Distinction Award Group- A large group of Dearborn Public School staff members were on hand at the September 10th Board of Education meeting to help Dr. Maleyko thank everyone who played a role in helping the District earn the District of Distinction Award.